Manchester United FC
Everton FC
Everton FC
Manchester riding high after 9-0 win but now face tricky Everton opposition
Manchester United to win 2-1
Manchester United’s confidence levels will be through the roof right now, having battered Southampton in a record-equalling 9-0 win in midweek.
Those three points kept up the pace with City at the top of the table, not to mention helping their goal difference considerably.
After disappointing results against Sheffield United and Arsenal, this was the perfect tonic for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who feared that his side would slip away at the top. With City having a game in hand, as well as a four-point lead, United cannot afford further mishaps here.
Everton, however, have shown good form recently, beating Leeds in midweek with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring his first goal in eight games.
The Toffees will once again have a top four position on their radar as they are four points behind but with two games in hand.
There’s plenty at stake between these two clubs here.
Form Guide (all comps): WWLDW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Hit back with a bang after two disappointing matches
Beat Everton 3-1 back in November
Reasons to be fearful:
Haven’t always performed well against teams near the top this season
Concerns around Cavani’s fitness
Although fans would have expected an improvement in performance levels after a shock defeat to Sheffield United and a disappointing draw at Arsenal, a 9-0 thrashing of Southampton would have been beyond their wildest dreams.
Seven United players got on the scoresheet during that match, boosting the confidence of several players, particularly Bruno Fernandes who had gone five league games without one.
Despite that, and beating Everton back in November, this will be a tough game for United, with Everton an unpredictable team boasting some quality players.
Having said that, United’s home form is gradually improving after that win in midweek, and should have opportunities to play their style of football against an Everton side who will come forward and leave space in behind.
Star Man – Bruno Fernandes
Was back to his best after a mini-drought, scoring and assisting twice in the 9-0 victory.
Form Guide (all comps): WWDLW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Calvert-Lewin back on form
Will go into top four by winning both games in hand
Reasons to be fearful:
Only beaten United at home once in 27 attempts
Opponents are looking in fearsome form
Dominic Calvert-Lewin returning to scoring form after eight games without a goal will be a welcome sight for Everton players and fans alike.
The next top scorer, Richarlison, is only on six for the season, a full 10 goals behind his strike partner. Against a free-scoring Manchester United, everyone will need to be on their game to avoid defeat.
The Toffees have been a little inconsistent for most of the season, especially so in their last five matches where they’ve experienced two wins, two defeats and a draw, making it hard to predict where they’ll end up this season.
Having said that, they still have two games in hand up their sleeve. Should they put their foot on the accelerator and pull a winning streak together, they could seriously challenge those sides ahead of them.
Star Man – Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Needs greater support from his teammates, but has scored goals in bunches this season. Perhaps his goal against Leeds is the start of the next scoring run.
Manchester United favourites but in for a tough game
Possession evenly shared
Both sides likely to score
Other than West Ham, Manchester United have conceded more goals than anyone else in the top half, and for this reason Everton will feel they can grab a goal or two here.
It’s at the other end, however, that Manchester United come into their own. With 46 goals scored, they’ve now overtaken Liverpool as the top scorers this season.
Everton will give them a good game, but United should take the points here.
Manchester United to win 2-1
